FREQUENT FLIGHTS AND LANDINGS AT THE UDBINA AIRFIELD

ZADAR, Mar 2 (Hina) - Rebel Serb forces and the Croatian army had shown less respect in recent days for the UN Protection Force, UN Sector South spokesman, Alun Roberts, today told a press conference in Zadar "UNPROFOR is losing the respect it once had," Roberts said. Commenting on incidents in Sector South, Roberts said that on February 27, Serb forces in the Benkovac area fired 15 bullets from small arms at a UN Canadian vehicle. No one was hurt. Another incident occurred around Popovici and Ilici near Benkovac where two Croatian army soldiers ordered UN Czech peacekeepers to stop patrolling. The press was surprised by this statement since Popovici is in the heart of Serb-held territory, Roberts then said that the case was being investigated. UN Sector South commander General Ratislav Kotil was to visit Gospic and Otocac tomorrow to try and convince Croatian authorities to allow UN military observers to supervise the area because Serbs were threatening to amass heavy weapons there, Roberts said. Roberts said UN military observers were faced with difficulties at the Serb-held Udbina airfield. Frequent take-offs and landings by "Gazela" helicopters were observed there and Serb authorities would not let UN observers or Jordanian peacekeepers be present at the airfield, Roberts said. (hina) mm sd vm 021745 MET mar 95